Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Thursday denied received any payments from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to purchase refined petroleum products.
This comes after IPMAN’s president, Abubakar Garima, spoke on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme on Wednesday, saying the association has been unable to access fuel despite paying N40 billion.
He also claimed that marketers sent by NNPC to receive petrol at Dangote refinery were there for four days unable to get the product.
In a statement signed by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, the firm noted that although discussions are ongoing with IPMAN, it is misleading to suggest that the its members are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from its refinery because there is no direct business dealings between both parties.
“Although discussions are ongoing with IPMAN, it is misleading to suggest that they (IPMAN Members) are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from our Petroleum Refinery, as we currently have no direct business dealings with them. Consequently, we cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities. Consequently, we cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities.
“The payment in mention has been made through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and not us. In the same vein, NNPCL has neither approved, nor authorised us to release our Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to IPMAN,” the statement read.
Chiejina, through the statement, reemphasised the Dangote Refinery’s capacity for meeting the nation’s petrol needs. “We would like to emphasise that we can meet the nation’s demand for all petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel. At present, we can load 2,900 trucks per day and we have also been evacuating petroleum products by sea. We advise IPMAN to register with us and make direct payment as we have more than enough petroleum products to satisfy the needs of their members.
“Furthermore, we believe it is instructive for all stakeholders to refrain from making unfounded statements in the media, as that could undermine the economic re-engineering efforts of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Conducting business through public speculation is counterproductive and unpatriotic.
“In the interest of our country, we encourage all stakeholders to collaborate and heed the advice of President Tinubu, while promoting a unified approach, rather than engaging in media conflicts and needless propaganda,” the Dangote statement read.
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